This subject is for any odd or unusual situation or mystery you want to know more about or have explained.  Even if the mystery is something that Jim might never take the time to fully answer.

I was looking at the thread about the possible origins of the Red and White Courts of Vampires, and I started wondering about something Nicodemus said about the Red Court back in Small Favor.  Nic offered to help Harry wipe out the Red Court.  Specifically, Nic said of the Red Court, "They're large, well organized, dangerous to my plans, a plague upon mankind, and aesthetically repugnant. They're parasites who are inconvenient in the short term, dangerous in the middle distance, and fatal to any long-range plan. They need to be destroyed at some point, in any case."

Of course, there is no way to know why the Red Court were a threat to Nics plans until we find out exactly what those plans actually involve.  So far, I've haven't seen anyone make any detailed speculation on what Nic's long-term plan is.  I think there has been some talk about Nic; and by extension Anduriel, wanting to defeat the Outsiders, but do so in a way that probably wipes out most of humanity.  I could see the Red Court; if they were still around, not being very happy to see most of their food source disappear, but if Nic's plan involves the use of the Holly Grail or other items that were in Hades vault, I don't understand how the Red Court could get in Nic's way.

This isn't an huge issue or mystery like who fixed Little Chicago or who was responsible for Malcolm Dresden's death, but I don't want to see it get glossed over when Nic's plan or plans come into full view.

What odd or minor issue or mystery do you want to see explained?
     

I suspect Lara has invested in numerous IVF clinics, and has been having her eggs and her sisters harvested on a regular basis and checked for viability. She asked both Marcone and Harry to father a child for her suggesting a degree of certainty beyond normal conception  She presumably has viable eggs on ice. House Raith is led by female Whamps putting it at a disadvantage against the other houses, and leaving is vulnerable to take over by secondary lines like the cousins.

I suspect Lara wouldn't want to get pregnant.  It wouldn't simply be a distraction to her day job of running the White Court, it could seriously weaken her and perhaps even kill her, if she didn't feed enough to maintain her own life force.  Though this is just a guess, perhaps any excess feeding might empower the growing White Court fetus and make it even more dangerous to Lara.

So, the next link in this chain of thinking is if Lara wanted an heir, or needed one to fulfil her deal with Mab, she would want to use a surrogate to give birth and take all the risk.  Harry would not be happy about a mortal being put in danger, but if Lara chose the invitro method, then; in theory at least, Harry wouldn't have to be informed about what was going on.  Lara would only need to get a sperm sample from Harry without him realizing it.  Lara might not even have to be the person to collect it.

Actually, I think all this speculation will become moot.  Either Lara will knocked off by Harry's bad luck with lovers life expectancy or the marriage will not happen or be annulled. 

A swing has more chance of hitting a target, but unless you're goading a mule you won't get any significant results.

Yes, swinging a staff has a much better chance of scoring a hit and most of the time it won't be very damaging but I've seen a person knocked out with a blow to the neck; vagus nerve hit, and I've seen someone get their collarbone broken, both in street fights.  (In both cases, these injuries came from hand blows, so not entirely analogous, but not entirely dissimilar either.) So, a staff being swung by someone who knew where to aim wouldn't be entirely harmless.

Without magic even a one handed jab with a 6 foot staff is little more than a love tap, and a poorly aimed one.

No, you could crack a rib with a really good jab.  You wouldn't hold the staff at the very end where you would have poor control.

So, I re-listened to the audio books of PT and BG while doing some hiking before the Summer temperatures exploded here (St. George, Utah which is at the Eastern end of the Mohave Desert) a few days ago.  I have to say I liked both books; especially BG, much more than when they came out two years ago.  I think because I already knew that PT didn't have a lot of actions scenes and I didn't have any expectations that I had the first time I read BG, it made a difference; though I still wouldn't rate either book or both together as being near the top of my best of Dresden Files list.

I'm wondering about the sign that Harry got Mac to nail up at the pub.  Talk about a Chekhov's Gun moment.  It looked like Mac might be forced to make a last stand against the Fomor and then we never saw him again.  I could be wrong, but I doubt Mac was with the crowd that followed Harry's Banner.  Perhaps once he nailed up the sign Mac was compelled to stay and defend that spot or perhaps his not quite mortal nature precluded him from coming under the influence of the Banner.  In any case, the sign and where it is now located will come into significance later, though I wonder when and in what way.

There has been some speculation about how long Thomas will remain imprisoned underneath Demon Reach, but I don't want to make guesses about that.  Prior to PT and BG there was some speculation that Thomas will one day take up Amoracchius; and I guess I could still see that happening, but there's a problem; actually two, that I don't see The Sword of Love helping to solve. 

I can envision a scenario where the new KotC saves Mr. Etri, his sister or perhaps both of them from some peril and that might balance the scales with Swartalves.  That, and an explanation that Thomas was compelled to attack Etri, it wasn't something he wanted to do.  Even if potential complications from that scenario get ironed out, how would that help Thomas with his need to feed?  The island can protect Thomas from his Hunger but what happens the moment he's released from captivity?  OK, let's say there's a solution to that problem, I don't see how taking up Amorachius would help Thomas with his Hunger and the demon behind it. 

Well wait a minute, maybe I can.  Removing the hunger demon from a White Court vampire would be fatal, but perhaps if Thomas took up Amorachius it would kill his inner demon; because love is poison to the White Court the Sword of Love should be equally poisonous, but protect the man who took up the holy sword.  Thomas would become a mortal human.  I suppose it could work, but that still doesn't do anything to get Justine back and free her from Nemesis.  I doubt that even Amorachius could help with that task.  That sword should be able to cut up Nemesis just fine; because when Michael was still a KotC Amorachius had no problem dealing with Outsiders, but unfortunately it would do the same thing to Justine, making the sword unusable.

Then again, we know one sword that appears to be capable of hurting Nemesis without harming Justine or her unborn child.  Fidelacchius seems made for the task and it's likely Nemesis wouldn't know a thing about its new abilities and limitations.  Nemesis would get a real surprise if Butters swung it at Justine.  One possible complication to Butters freeing Justine is he might be in more danger than usual.  If Butters didn't get sent a message from On High to help free Justine, if it was something Harry or Thomas asked Butters to do then Waldo might be at greater physical peril.  At least Harry believed that Michael was injured more often when Harry asked the Knight for his help rather than Michael's mission was Heaven sent.

The only other questions I have after BG are mostly issues that have already been widely discussed in other threads, like the possible long-term influence of Thorned Namshiel on Marcone.  It might take several books, but I suspect we will eventually see some sign that Marcone is changing for the worse.  There's also the question of Thorned Namshiel's feelings about Nicodemus.  Just because Marone would like to destroy Nicodemus that doesn't mean Thorned Namshiel thinks the same way.  I'm remembering the time Nicodemus called on Lasciel's shadow to paralyze Harry so Nic could recruit him.  There's no reason Thorned Namshiel shouldn't be able to do the same thing to Marcone.  That's not even a WAG, just an extreme thing that could happen if Marcone and TN's interests diverged from one another.     

When will Harry call upon Ethniu to do his bidding?  My guess is not for a long time.  One possible scenario would be when Harry has to deal with a kaiju, but that's just pure speculation without any real evidence to back it up.       

There are questions about Lara and the White Court, but some of those predate PT and BG and it appears we will be seeing a fair amount of her in the next novel, so that should be fun.  Of course, if the above scenario of Thomas taking up Amorachius and becoming a mortal human came true, Lara would not react well to that.  However, there's no guarantee that Thomas will be released from Demon Reach in the next book, so this could be a long-term issue.

Just when I think I'm finished there's always one more issue to cover.  I wonder what answer LTW will give Harry in one year, about what it means to be Starborn.  When Harry asked the Starborn question the first time, LTW essentially told Harry that he didn't have any other options than wait for a reply.  When LTW comes to tell Harry if he will answer his question, I'd like to see Harry start the conversation by telling LTW that if he can't or won't tell him what it really means to be Starborn, Harry has other sources who will give him the answers he's been seeking, and do so within the hour, because it's true.  Harry could ask Bonea about being Starborn; though if Harry didn't ask the right questions or ask them in the right way, he might not learn everything he really needs to know, but it would be a way of telling LTW; and the others who are in the know, that they can work with Harry or he can go his own way without them.  Mostly, I'm tired of waiting myself.  We've been waiting a long time for many different mysteries to be solved, I think it's time some of this jigsaw puzzle starts to get filled in a bit.   

Agreed, I think arrogance has a little to do with it as well.  Marcone might think he is strong enough to handle a partnership like that, and he has also hungered for a wizard's power ever since he witnessed Harry blowing the doors off his club.  That desire is what played right into Namshiel's hands.  Also note that we ever knew the name of the previous host, it was simply, Thorton Namshiel.  The host's identity had been totally absorbed.

The irony of Marcone's situation is that should the crime lord start to exhibit unusual or aberrant behavior, the only person who is likely to tell Marcone that he isn't acting like himself, is Harry.  Gard is just a paid consultant and it's not her place to question any changes in Marcone's personality; though Gard's boss might like it if she reported any such changes to him.  Helen Beckitt / Demeter would certainly notice any odd behavior from Marcone, but it's unlikely she would say anything.  Her long-term goal is screw over Marcone so she doesn't have any motivation to do anything but make note of any changes in Marcone's demeanor or normal behavior, for possible use at the appropriate time.

None of the Knights know Marcone personally.  It's not like Butters or Sanya could point out to Marcone that he is no longer acting like himself, but Harry could; and baring orders from Mab to keep his much shut, Harry probably would.  This could make for a very interesting scene between Harry and Marcone, but if it occurs, I would guess that we wouldn't see it until after Harry returns from the Mirror Mirror world or perhaps not until the next Denarian book, which I believe will be the last book before the BAT.

There is also the question if Harry could do anything to get around interference from Thorned Namshiel.  Harry would know from his experience with Hannah Ascher that the Fallen can make their host hear anything they want them too.  Harry would have to think of something subtle to tell Marcone to avoid that, and Harry isn't someone we normally associate with subtlety.   

Which makes no sense because with a $30.00 book he gets a 45% royalty I looked up how that works.  And it is a huge risk because, though unlikely, what if the new novella turns out to be a real stinker? Word will get out and sales will suffer.

Except it's sold out already.

Oops, I forgot the audible version.  Yea, a series of weak reviews that came from the fanbase could hurt sales there, but the limited edition stuff was pre-sold pretty quickly.

Here is a link to the original post.  It's hard to believe it was made over eleven years ago: https://www.paranetonline.com/index.php/topic,19774.0.html

I want to attempt to determine what new information and speculation might have been added to the Warden File on Harry Dresden following the events in Peace Talks and Battle Ground; and I need your help.  Let me start with some basic information and show how it could easily be misinterpreted by the White Council.

The hypothetical warden file on Harry went up to the end of Cold Days.  I'm not certain what the Council would have heard about the events of Skin Game.  I don't have the book with me, but I believe in the first conversation Warden Ramirez had with Harry in Peace Talks; Carlos; and therefore the rest of White Council, were aware that Baron Marcone set up Nicodemus to take a fall and Ramirez was aware that Karrin Murphy had been badly injured by Nic.  The young Warden seemed impressed that Murphy had managed to survive at all. 

I'm going to assume that word was sent to the Paranet about Murphy's injuries and roughly how she got them, but probably no specific information about Harry was given; perhaps only that Harry was in some way involved.  Ramirez could have picked up this information from someone at Mac's or had it passed on to him by someone like Elaine.

So how might the White Council take what they knew or think they knew about Harry, add the above information and what was witnessed in PT and BG and completely misinterpret it?  Here's one way.

• From previous information gathered from Chicago locals; even though Harry Dresden didn't use black magic to do so, he may have targeted the sorcerer Victor Sells for removal as a favor to, or in the service of John Marcone.
• There was a news report and a badly shot video which appeared on American television news stations; which showed Harry Dresden and his late ally / lover Karrin Murphy, fighting and killing a loup-garou.  This was purported to have occurred on the property of John Marcone.
• A report from Warden Ramirez tells us that Harry Dresden hired John Marcone and his associates, as a backup force in case rescue was needed when Ramirez and Dresden dueled two White Court vampires on the property of the Raith family.
• Baron Marcone was responsible for the disgrace of, and the current chase to find and eliminate the Denarian Nicodemus Archleone.  Harry Dresden's late ally and lover Karrin Murphy was badly wounded by Nicodemus in the runup to Nicodemus' fall.  It is likely Harry Dresden was involved in some unknown way.
• Baron Marcone and Dresden fought and defeated the Titan Ethniu after she had been worn down by attacks from multiple other powers.

"Though they pretend to ignore or even dislike each other the few times they have been seen in public together, it is clear that the Baron of Chicago; John Marcone, and Harry Dresden are close allies.  Should it become necessary for the Council to move directly against Harry Dresden, it might be wise to inform Baron Marcone that the White Council has no interest showing disrespect to him or in disrupting his domain."

Ok, I know that was a bit wordy.  In the Wardens file I would forget the bullet points and say something like this:

"Because of their many known interactions together against multiple foes; and their close cooperation in the final defeat of the Titan Ethniu, it appears highly likely that Baron John Marcone and Harry Dresden are close allies; even though they go out of their way to ignore each or even even show dislike of each other in public.  This appears to be a ruse to hide their close working relationship.  Should it become necessary for the Council to move directly against Harry Dresden, it might be wise to inform Baron Marcone that the White Council has no interest showing disrespect to him or in disrupting his domain"

What do you think would get added; correctly or incorrectly, to the Warden File on Harry Dresden after Peace Talks and Battle Ground?  If you think the White Council learned or misinterpreted anything from the events of Skin Game, you can add that as well.  After two or three weeks; maybe longer if there are a lot of comments, I'll take take everything we can come up with and add it to the original file.